Italian trip provides Whitworth students with acting experience

Romeo, Romeo, Whitworth Community High School students Cole Proctor and Imogen Landers on ‘Juliet’s’ balcony

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Students from Whitworth Community High School acted out one of shakespeare’s most famous love scenes on a balcony in Verona, Italy.

Romeo and Juliet came to life for the 40 Performing Arts students from Whitworth Community High School who travelled by coach for a five-day stay in Venice and Verona.

Although historians say there is almost nothing to link the house and balcony in Verona to Shakespeare’s tragic love story, that doesn’t stop tourists and students visiting the location.

Performing Arts teacher Alex White said: “The students on this trip were a credit to the school. Their behaviour was exemplary and the way they encouraged and supported each other was delightful to see.”

The students took part in a series of drama workshops with theatre professionals to aid their studies. They worked on physical theatre and devising techniques relating to Romeo and Juliet.

“All students threw themselves into the workshops and worked with maturity and enthusiasm throughout,” said Mrs White.

These workshops were especially useful for Brooke Gosling, 15, who has used the experience towards her GCSE Performing Arts.

The Year 10 student said: “I want to be in the West End and I particularly like the role of Matilda.

“I love performing and it makes me feel happy to be on the stage and I like the reaction I get from other people.

“Outside of school I also dance at Singleton’s Dance Academy in Rochdale and I am a cheerleader at Rayz All-Stars in Wardle.”

Andrew Munday, 13, said: “We did a lot of trust techniques where we had to learn to trust the others in our group. I have just picked my GCSE options and I want to do music and drama because I play piano and guitar.”

Older Year 10 and 11 students mentored the younger ones and all made new friends on the trip. The workshops culminated in a physical theatre-style performance of Romeo and Juliet.

Mrs White added: “It was wonderful to see how much they had learnt and how they had worked together to produce an excellent engaging drama.”

In Verona some students were lucky enough to go on a gondola and they also took in the sights of Venice and enjoyed shopping.

The 40 students were accompanied by five members of staff.